..... on the one hand, dress how you want to dress, feel awesome in your chosen clothes, other people's opinions about your clothes can go to hell.

On the other hand. If you're early-career, it can be really intimidating to buck the norm in your professional space. If you're a woman in a male-dominated profession, looking like you care about fashion can lose you some respect from colleagues who haven't quite figured out that you can care about fashion AND $otherthings. (They're not right, but if you need them on your side for office politics or future networking or whatever reason, this is something to take into consideration. Yes, you can get the respect back — probably — by being awesome at your job, but that particular poisoned pill involves a lot of extra work that should not be on you.) I don't think the LW's concern is misplaced.

cereta's suggestion of "casual dresses with flats, and dress them up after work with jewelry and other accessories" is an excellent one; an alternative might be to pick a uniform look (sheath dress, cardigan, and flats/low heels? trousers/dark-wash jeans, blazer, and flats/low heels?) and stick to it until it stops being a nine-days' wonder and is just "how Jane dresses". Alternatively, go over the top and take advantage of the lack of restrictive dress code and wear bling and stilettos and a fabulous hat; be the office eccentric who dazzles the eye with her outfits and the mind with her stunning ideas.

UGH WHY ARE WOMEN'S BODIES PUBLIC PROPERTY.